Revel gets one-week reprieve on utility shutdown

Atlantic City’s defunct Revel casino will be able to keep the lights on a little longer, after the building’s utility provider threatened to shut off power over unpaid bills.

The casino, which closed just two years after opening, received a one-week reprieve on Thursday from a shutdown of its water and electric service.

ACR Energy Partners, the utility provider, is now granting the casino until a Wednesday hearing to sort out its money troubles.

In response to the ACR’s ultimatum, officials from Revel have said that killing the power would violate a court order stemming from the casino’s bankruptcy proceedings.

In addition, Revel asked a judge to fine ACR $10 million, and $1 million for every day after that, if the lights are shut off.

A Florida developer purchased the casino building in a bankruptcy auction, and the sale is scheduled to close on Monday – although a legal skirmish prompted by former tenants could cause a delay.

Former restaurant and club tenants of the casino building have sued to block the sale by alleging that the transaction would saddle them with debt from what was invested into the site.

In January, a federal judge agreed that the sale should proceed, delivering a blow to the former tenants. In turn, the former tenants appealed the ruling.